The Bajaj company of India has introduced a car that is smaller, crappier, slower, and appears to be more unfit for human travel than the current king of those categories, the Tata Nano. Measuring nine feet long, powered by a 200cc, yes 200cc not 2,000cc engine, it can carry four people to their firey deaths on Indian roads for less than $2,000 new. We’re guessing the $2,000 figure refers to dollars because Rupees work on a wacky scale of thousdands it seems like.
Interestingly, the Tata Nano has not been selling like people thought it would. With this even cheaper version from Bajaj, it will be interesting to see what Tata does to prevent losing share. Afterall, if the only hook you are selling a tiny, awful car on is the fact it is very cheap, once someone else’s tiny, awful car is cheaper you are really in trouble.
The car weighs 880lbs and can go 43mph. The story we saw about it claims that 82mpg is the fuel consumption rate. With a 200cc engine it better be damned good. We read one story where the company was bragging on the fact that the engine is both liquid cooled and fuel injected.
My personal history with Bajaj products is relegated only to their scooters, more specifically, falling off of their scooters. We had one as a track vehicle at New England Dragway. The Bajaj had a five speed transmission and was shifted by pulling in the clutch like a normal motorcycle and then rotating the hand grip forward to the next gear. The little scooter moved out pretty well. I remember hitting 55-60mph on it while zipping down the track to check on equipment, get to a wreck, etc. Anyway, the thing had the rear brake handle on the handlebar and then there was actually a foot pedal brake for the front wheel. The probem was that the foot pedal was positioned to be exactly where your foot wanted to land while normally riding the scooter. Everyone that rode the thing wiped out at least once….including me. At least I ate dirt and not asphalt.
We’re guessing the term “crash standards” has not made it to India yet, otherwise this little car would never see the light of day.
Bajaj Intrduces New Tiny Car for India
It should come standard with coffin style handles so they can just bury you in it after an accident.
hmmmm….I’m thinking Outlaw 10.5.
I saw the article on these and thought they just enclosed a rhino ATV.
Randal: No, Rhinos have much bigger motors!!!
Looks like Brian found a replacement for the Lohnes family shit box.
New Chevy Malibu once CAFE standards kick in.
Ironic, I clicked on this, while listening to Twisted Sister’s “Burn in Hell”…
Gas can on wheels…my question is, wait, no, I’m just going to shut my f’n mouth now before I stick my foot in it.
The central planners in Washington love this ride.
Seems like a bargain to me, and makes me wonder why I paid $2300.00 for a Honda Ruckus 50 cc scooter. I could have had a pit car.
Go easy on the poor creature.It means well.
Dig the Sport version.Mag-type wheels.
You literally go, lil’car.
The people who make these things aren’t making them for the North American market. They are making them for the markets in which they are sold, namely their own. Comparisons with cars made by GM, Ford or Chrysler are therefore unfair.
It’s easy to ridicule, and make smug remarks. Wasn’t it Hyundai who introduced the “pony” in 1986 a 70s French bodied shit box with a 70’s Mitsubishi drive train? Look at Hyundai today.
Remember that it’s the people who work for low wages making cheap things that other people will buy who will one day become the biggest players in the financial world. it worked for Japan, where cheap crap came from in the 50’s and 60’s. Today it’s working for China.
Tata started building railway locomotives in the early 50’s. They have built over 4 million vehicles since then, and now own Jaguar and Land Rover, Daewoo’s former truck division and controlling interest in several other transport manufacturing companies. They are profitable and have weathered the economy thus far without large government cash injections.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Motors
Watch and see how these Indian car makers progress. I know the “Big Three” are watching carefully.